Rotary hears EDC plans for area
futureBy Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Members and guests of the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake were
privy to possibilities for lake area development.
Speaker for the weekly luncheon, held Friday at the Cedar Creek Country
Club was Richard Wendel of the Gun Barrel City Economic Development
Corporation.
Wendel spoke briefly on the rezoning of the island between Seven Points
and Gun Barrel City for condominiums.
He said he has been told many times there is nothing to do, and nowhere
for visitors to go on Cedar Creek Lake.
“If we can work with developers to put in a hotel and a small water park
on the south side of the island, that would be a place visitors could
go,” he said.
One very needed improvement includes an additional east-west road for
Gun Barrel City, he said.
“With the construction (widening) due on SH 198, It’s going to be real
hard to get into Gun Barrel City,” Wendel explained.
Another idea under consideration is the possibility of an educational
facility.
“We have been talking to Trinity Valley Community College about putting
in a continuing education and community college in GBC, in the old
Winn-Dixie facility,” he added.
“Whatever we do for Gun Barrel City is good for the whole lake area
community,” Wendel said.
In other business, Rotarians:
• were reminded the next luncheon is set for noon Friday, May 23, at the
Cedar Creek Country Club.
• heard Rotarian Bob Burns read about a dozen thank you notes from Kemp
Primary School students for the books Rotary provided the students with
through the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Richard Wendel, a member of the Gun Barrel City
Economic Development Corporation board, spoke to
Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake members Friday
about the future plans for the area that have not made
it to the drawing board.

Fiddler’s reunion set for May 29Special to The MonitorATHENS–Come spend the weekend in Athens for the 77th annual Texas
Fiddler’s Contest and Reunion.
Around 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, people start gathering on the courthouse
lawn to renew friendships and start jamming.
The carnival will also open Thursday evening.
The contest will begin bright and early at 9 a.m. Friday, May 30.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and sunblock.
The contest is broken down by age divisions.
Before lunch,
• age 65 and older,
• age 31-65.
Swing band playing during lunch.
After lunch,
• age 19-30,
• age 18 and under.
At 5 p.m., the playoff for Grand Champion will begin.
After the contest ends there will be a street dance from 8 p.m. to
midnight.
While you are listening to some talented and impressive music, stroll
around the square and munch on some great food from local vendors, shop
for novelty items and shop at our unique shops around the square and
town, stop in the Visitor Center and get information on local places to
vacation at, or have fun at the carnival located at the City parking
lot.
When you are finished listening to the fiddling, make a stop at the
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and fish a bit, or visit the Arboretum
to see the beautiful flowers.
Visit the museum just off the square.
Athens offers dining galore whether you want buffalo burgers at Cripple
Creek; home cooking at Athens Café; Italian at Roma Italian; Tex Mex at
Jalapeno Tree and Ochoa’s; anything and everything at Applebee’s; iced
and hot coffees, teas and chocolates at Pendulum and Flying Gatto.
Don’t forget burgers at Bean and Burger and Lake Athens Marina and many
other eateries around town.

Ford awards FFA scholarship to
HankinsSpecial to the Monitor
MABANK–Erin Hankins, a 2008 graduate of Mabank High School FFA, has been
awarded a $1,000 scholarship by Tri-County Ford and Ford Motor Company.
Hankins is the daughter of Renee and Oren Hankins of Gun Barrel City.
She plans to study business at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The scholarship is one of 600 scholarships awarded by Ford Division,
Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford dealers to FFA members who are high
school seniors planning to attend college in the fall of 2008, as well
as current collegiate students.
This program is a part of a much larger commitment of $1 million to the
National FFA Foundation.
These scholarships are being awarded on behalf of individual
participating Ford dealers.
Additionally, five $1,000 national scholarships are being awarded on
behalf of Ford Motor Company.
The Built Ford Tough Trucks/FFA Scholarship Program is designed to
recognize FFA members’ talent and accomplishments while encouraging
their future academic achievements.
Built Ford Tough Trucks and Ford Motor Company and Ford Fund sponsor
these scholarships as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Tri-County Ford in Mabank is proud to support FFA and the Built Ford
Tough Trucks/FFA Scholarship Program.
Ford has supported the National FFA Foundation since the first F-Series
truck was introduced in 1948, and has sponsored the Built Ford Tough
collegiate scholarship program since 1997.
The program, equally funded by Ford Motor Company and Ford dealers, has
awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to more than 3,000 FFA
members.
Ford knows the value of hard work, and believes hard work would be
rewarded.
That’s why Ford has increased the Built Ford Tough Trucks/FFA
Scholarship fund each year since its inception.
Educating aspiring young people to become the leaders of tomorrow is
just another way of ensuring a successful future.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of
America, is a national youth organization of 500,823 student members all
preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and
technology of agriculture – as part of more than 7,200 local FFA
chapters in 50 sites, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in
recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural
education.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of
students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal
growth and career success through agricultural education.
For more information, visit www.ffa.org.

Come Adopt
Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

My name is Nelson. I am a
beautiful male Dachshund. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. So far, I seem pretty laid back
and gentle. I am a wonderful boy looking for my new forever
home.

My name is Oreo. I am a beautiful
female black Lab. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. I seem to get along with other
dogs. I need help with leash training. I have been started on my
shots and need to be fixed. I am a beautiful girl looking for my
new home.

We are a whole litter of Shepherd
mix babies. We were brought to the shelter by animal control, so
we have no history. We have been started on our first set of
shots. We are good kids looking for our new forever homes.

I am a beautiful Border Collie,
who is four months old, or so. I was brought to the shelter by
animal control, so I have no history. I have not been at the
shelter long, so not much is known about me. I am a beautiful
kid looking for a new home.

Pictured are just a few
animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the
Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220
County Road 2403 in
Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422
after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.